Swarthmore vs. Olin College

Comparable Facts

Compare Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, PA with Franklin W Olin College of Engineering in Needham, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Swarthmore College is larger than Olin College based on total student enrollment (1,623 students vs. 405 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Swarthmore College is located in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting); Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is in Needham, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Swarthmore College 7:1; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 9:1.

Swarthmore vs. Olin College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Swarthmore or Olin College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Swarthmore College than Olin College ($22,469 vs. $43,184).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Swarthmore College are 2.4% lower than at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering ($20,308 vs. $20,810).
• Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is 1.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Swarthmore (about $904 more per year; $66,398.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.4% higher at Olin College than at Swarthmore College (about $904 more per year; $66,398.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering than at Swarthmore College (100% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 42.4% larger than aid received by Franklin W Olin College of Engineering students ($61,634 vs. $43,290).

Swarthmore vs. Olin College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Swarthmore or Olin College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Olin College and Swarthmore.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is the same as at Olin College (1530).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Swarthmore College 1490/1560; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 1493/1558.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Swarthmore - Test optional; Olin College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027; Olin College Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Swarthmore students have the same average high school GPA (3.9) as students at Olin College (3.9).
• Olin College has a higher acceptance rate (25.2%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.8% at Swarthmore vs. 43.7% at Olin College.

Swarthmore vs. Olin College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Swarthmore and Olin College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Franklin W Olin College of Engineering's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Swarthmore College's (95%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Franklin W Olin College of Engineering graduates have a $4,790 lower median loan debt than Swarthmore graduates ($14,710 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Olin College graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Swarthmore graduates ($152 vs. $201).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.